Why those are his brand new Michelin Pilot Road III's that we all are waiting a report on. But did Hugh ride them and report back????........Nooooooo........he had to blow up his engine and do a LARGE report on that!
Cpeg- thanks for that photo. I think I got it pretty much right. One thing that gave me a fit was the main cable from the battery to the starter. I believe it's just taped on the side of the main harness (not really woven into it) and it seems like they had too much cable at the battery end and not enough at the starter end. I had a time getting the terminal onto the lug on the starter. I think I can do a little further adjustment to make it fit better.
I put about 40 miles on it tonight going to the local monthly ADVrider dinner and back. Here's a few of the guys outside after the meal, with one guy trying on a BMW GS for size:
The bike most definitely pulls stronger off the line and continues to be noticeably quieter. I'm thinking my old engine was gradually grinding itself to bits for some time so that I didn't notice the power loss. It seems to have more of a surge around 3000 RPM than the old engine which may be due to the muffler valve being wired opening or it just may be the stock 09 fueling. I'll have to wait 'til I get the muffler valve cable replaced and see how it runs after that. Speaking of which- I did briefly get a "check engine" light when I accelerated hard up through ~5000 RPM or so. I suspect it's got something to do with the muffler valve cable being disconnected so that the ECM detects that the actuator is not responding normally.
Oh yea, it's got the original 09 ECM programming so that the fan runs like my 07; the fan didn't come on 'til I shut it down. I guess it'll stay that way unless I spring for an Erik Buell Racing race ECM at some point. I can't imagine taking this thing to the dealer for an update- "I know it's an 07 but it has an 09 engine...". Actually as long as I can talk to Badwebber Jadow (one of the Buell techs at my local dealer) I imagine he'd work it out.
Well guys, I think that's it for this "thread from hell". Thanks for tagging along, and thanks a lot for all the comments, suggestions, and compliments. It hasn't exactly been fun, but it was a hell of a ride.
It could just be the sound pickup on the video or maybe the exhaust valve being stuck open, but your exhaust is a lot louder than mine is. Same year, same color, stock muffler...curious.
I also like the title of "Dr. Hugh the Uly doc." Congrats on getting her back on the road. I can only imagine how bonded you are to that girl now.
Glad your back on the road. Thanks for letting us watch.
Is this thread a record length for BBD?
PS: I cringe anytime I see someone getting on a bike by putting all there weight on the kickstand Maybe it's because I owned KTM's in the 90's and the kickstand bolt would snap if the wind blew. But my BMW manual says "do not put body weigh on the kickstand".
You ever climbed on a GS, not to mention a GSA, it's difficult for many to do it any other way. I have a 34+" inseam and I still climb on a friends GSA that way. (He does too at times...) It's suspended softly enough that I can flat foot it once my weight in the saddle sacks the suspension.
Garrcano- Yep, it is about time to try to offset some of this expense.
I don't have the Erik Buell Racing ECM, but the main harness and quite a few other parts will be available. The harness is fine except that I had to rob the fuel pump plug off of it (different plug on 09 harness not compatible with 07 fuel pump). I will post a note here when I get the stuff listed in the classifieds.
This has been a great thread, and you did a great job! Thanks Hugh, and good luck with your new "transplant". I wish you many safe, trouble free miles!
Nice one Hugh. I have not read all the thread but it looks like you did a good job.
I would, if it has not been said, keep to HD OEM standard oil. Change the oil and filter lots until no trace of metal parts are found and once it looks fine send a oil sample away, its the best way to do it, for testing. I would also do a compression test on each cylinder and a oil pressure test just to be on the safe side. All of which is cheap and easy to do.
In the mean time I would keep the revs and engine load down as best you can. Best safe and all that.
I understand how you feel. My Evo Sportster had a catastrophic engine failure last Saturday. I have a complete engine rebuild from flywheel up! The tech, a good one, said it was starved for oil but he isn't sure why yet since the bike had oil in the tank. He'll check the oil lines for kinks, plugs, etc. during the final the tear down.
I am a bit late to the party, but, Awesome thread Hugh. Thanks for taking the time to share such an experience.
How many hours would you say it took total to get her running again? I'm sure any # you say I would have to multiply a few times to get an estimate of what it would take me to complete such a project.
How many hours would you say it took total to get her running again? I'm sure any # you say I would have to multiply a few times to get an estimate of what it would take me to complete such a project.
Dmmblaze- Man, it's hard to say. It was down from ~February 20 until May 11. I worked on it from February 28th until May 11, with some long breaks in there while I debated what to do with it. I'd guess there were close to 16 x 8 hour days counting weekends, plus 2 or 3 hours/night during many week nights. Maybe 160 hours total?
In hindsight, I could have skipped most of the engine disassembly process and just bit the bullet and ordered the replacement engine off the bat. I killed a lot of time debating, and then waiting until I'd stared at the 09 XB12R wiring harness for a week before ordering the new one, and then not doing pre-installation steps until I had the new wiring harness in hand, etc. I'd think I could have done the whole thing in maybe 40 or 50 hours IF I'd just had a plan at the start and stuck with it.
Yea, and I still have to photo and list all my leftover parts in the classifieds....
BTW- thanks to Skifastbadly for a free replacement muffler valve actuator cable. I got that installed without too much trouble Sunday afternoon, only to find out my muffler valve actuator has been toasted for some time. I've got a used replacement for that on the way from another Badwebber, and an e-mail into Bumpus for a new upgraded replacement.
I'm really curious to see how big of a change a properly functioning muffler valve will make.